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Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under

Alex Nunez — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Truck, Ford, Australia, FPV

Click above for high-res gallery of the FPV F6, more galleries after the jump

FPV's seemingly endless rollout of its new FG Falcon-based lineup has finally culminated in the actual launch of the cars (how novel), which we've already touched upon. To that end, we'll keep this brief and turn you loose on the multiple new photo galleries now available (check out the rest after the jump). The FPV range encompasses both Falcon sedan and Ute bodystyles, and power comes from either the turbocharged F6 inline-six or the 5.4L Boss 315 V8. The six delivers 415 horsepower and a tire-humbling 416 lb-ft of torque. The eight's no slouch either, pumping out 422 horses (315 kW, hence the engine's name) and 406 lb-ft. A Tremec TR6060 6-speed stick is available across the full range of cars.

Speaking of that, here's the rundown:

FPV F6 Ute
FPV Pursuit (V8 Ute)
FPV Super Pursuit ( Top-of-the-line V8 Ute)
FPV F6 Sedan
FPV GT (V8 Sedan)
FPV GT-P (Premium version of the GT)
FPV GT E (Top-of-the-line V8 FPV sedan, more subtle styling than GT, GT-P)

You can see galleries of everything below and after the jump. We'll take an F6 sedan in the lime green. In fact, we need one of those approximately yesterday.

Gallery: 2008 FPV F6

[Source: FPV]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under

Pics Aplenty: The new FPV range launches Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Alan Mulally wants an FG Falcon

Alex Nunez — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Ford, Australia

Click above for more high-res images of the FG Falcon G-Series

But is he getting one for himself? One could certainly infer that's the case based on this GoAuto article, which reports that the Ford CEO was so blown away by the Falcon G6E Turbo he sampled at an Australian test facility that he told Trevor Worthington (Ford Australia's product-development veep), "I want one." And that brings us to the question of the day: is the head of Ford really bringing over a new Falcon for himself to drive? Because while we in the peanut gallery generally agree that the Blue Oval stuff in Europe and Australia has it all over the American-market offerings (Mustang and F-Series excluded), there would be no greater acknowledgment of this than the CEO of Ford cruising around in a desirable RHD-only Aussie sedan while we make do with the Taurus, which even the execs recently made fun of. Americans will need to wait for the arrival of the new global RWD platform that's set to underpin multiple US-market rear-drivers sometime in the early 2010s, assuming Ford doesn't hedge like GM and use CAFE as an excuse to temper expectations regarding RWD models in the States.

UPDATE: We caught up with the folks at Ford this evening, and can now report that Alan Mulally is not bringing over a Falcon for his own personal use. We do believe the part of the GoAuto story where he's bowled over by the Falcon, though.

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon G-Series

[Source: GoAuto]

REPORT: Alan Mulally wants an FG Falcon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The new FPV GT shows up in an Alice Cooper costume

Alex Nunez — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, FPV

Click image for hi-res

FPV will tease everyone with its new lineup of FG Falcon-based sedans and Utes at the Melbourne show, but the tech specs will remain under wraps until sometime closer to June, when the tire-shredders are scheduled to launch. We do know some things, though. As before, power will come from turbo inline-sixes or brawny V8s stuffed under the decaled, domed hood (at least in the case of the wicked FPV GT, above, which has a Boss V8 lurking under there).

Gone are all the Ford badges, too. In their place are oval FPV insignias, which make it crystal clear that these are not mere Falcons. The front fascia on the GT is menacing, with "eye black" under the G-Series-style headlamps (hence the Alice Cooper reference), and a pronounced honeycomb lower bumper insert. The offset GT grille badge carries over from past models. Additional matte black decals can be found on the sides of the car, and beefy (probably 19") 5-spoke wheels hide Brembo stopping power. The new FPV roster lets buyers choose manual or automatic transmissions at no additional cost. Hey Alan Mulally, CAFE-schmafe -- move the steering wheel over and send this to America so we can have the big, bad V8 Interceptor we all want. As for Australia, those GM guys at HSV better prepare for some stiff, new competition.

UPDATE: Sweet live gallery at the Herald Sun.

[Source: FPV]

Continue reading The new FPV GT shows up in an Alice Cooper costume

The new FPV GT shows up in an Alice Cooper costume originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne '08 Preview: 2008 Ford FG Falcon swoops in

Alex Nunez — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

click above for high-res gallery of the new Ford FG Falcon

It's a couple of years late to the party, but the all-new Ford FG Falcon is set to arrive in Australia later this year, when it'll match up with GM's Holden Commodore sedan and Ute offerings on the sales charts and at Aussie stop lights for years to come. Like the Holdens, the Falcons are rear-wheel-drive. The FG is all-new, with a more rigid architecture, new and/or upgraded powertrains, increased variety in terms of visual and interior options, and improvements in fuel economy as well. The factory performance wing, FPV, will also introduce a full range of FG-based sedans and Utes as well. We'll bring you more on the FPV cars when additional info and the all-important photos are released.

As for the standard FG Falcon offerings, the sedan will come in XT, G-Series, and XR trim levels, with the Ute joining it in base, R6, and XR Trims. As before, powerful inline six-cylinders (normally-aspirated and turbocharged) are joined by a range-topping V8 -- this time, it's the hand-built FPV-supplied 5.4L Boss 290. As impressive as the V8 is (388 hp / 383 lb-ft), however, the turbo six (362 hp / 393 lb-ft) makes a hell of a case for itself. An LPG-fueled E-Gas version of the I6 is also offered on the Falcon XT sedan and the XR6 Ute. Follow the jump for a quick-and-dirty rundown on the engines, as well as the overview press release sent out by Ford.

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon XR Series

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon G-Series

Gallery: Ford FG Falcon Ute

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Melbourne '08 Preview: 2008 Ford FG Falcon swoops in

Melbourne '08 Preview: 2008 Ford FG Falcon swoops in originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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